As a recognized non-blowhard, I feel qualified to comment as follows:

I've put a hundred thousand odd miles on (mostly) two bikes during the past three years. Most of this was in countries unfamiliar to me (Africa, South and Central America, Europe/Eastern Europe, a bit of Asia Minor). All along people have been complaining about the crazy drivers and warning me that I'm sure to get squashed, bent, mutilated or at minimum badly broken on my motorbike. All along I've been wondering when the crazy driving is going to start up.....and here I am back home again, still wondering where all those crazies are at.

I think this is because I'd spent a lot of time in the Developing World before ever learning to ride a bike. No matter where I go, I've seen and done worse, and no matter how ridiculous the antics of the other people on the road, it's never as bad as Delhi. Or Rome. Or Marrakesh. Or, in some cases, New York, London, L.A. or Lima. Before I ever clambered onto my first bike, a KLR, I had accumulated reflexes sufficient to keep me on course wherever I've been (so far).

OP, you're describing yourself the same way. For the most part, it's not actually about controlling the bike; it's about fitting into traffic patterns without endangering yourself. You don't need off-road training to ride around much of Africa: you need to learn how to ride in insane, crowded, chaotic traffic without getting crushed. From the sound of it, you're probably almost there already. Just practice riding for another 6 months or a year, and try to do this on whatever sort of bike you'll be taking with you.

Of course, lots of people do get somewhat mutilated when they get overconfident or under-attentive on dirt, stone, gravel, mud or dust. I probably shouldn't minimize that piece. But my personal off-road skills are merely ok, not good, and I've survived all sorts of drastic places by taking it slow and not falling for the "you've gotta do at least 50 on corrugations to even out the pounding" fallacy, or the "this can't possibly be fun unless you're dragging a knee while carving the corners" myth.

Time to trade in that cruiser and start planning your trip. And whatever you do, don't take advice from anyone who lives in Colombia; they all drive insanely there.

Mark

Hey thanks guys! Still trying to decipher the EXACT meaning of the term "blowhard" (that's not one I've heard before, but I get the gist!), but am encouraged by your comments that a good dose of common sense and healthy respect for the road goes a long way!

I think once I get my full licence in another month or so, that will be the trigger to get a more Africa-oriented bike and start preparing in earnest. Whatever happens, I can't wait to get out there and start exploring those African horizons on two wheels...

Jeanie